Among the places most worth visiting in Chiang Mai are its centuries-old wats (Buddhist temples), many of them in the city area. As the city is of a moderate-size, touring around town to visit these temples by bicycle is very popular.

Wat Chiang Man

(off Ratchapakhinai Road in the northeast corner of the old city)

This is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai town which was built in 1296 by King Mengrai, the founder of Chiang Mai. The temple is famous for its Lanna-style chedi supported by rows of elephant-shaped buttresses and an ancient and invaluable Buddha image named Phra Kaeo Khao.

When in Chiang Mai, the city of old culture and sweet-mannered people, the sites where you can linger all day to admire the city's magical charm are temples dotting the city in abundance. Apart from Wat Phra Sing which is a well-known beautiful Buddhist temple where Phra Phuttha Sihing, a most revered Buddha image of the north is enshrined, Wat Lok Moli appears to be another interesting and visit-worthy temple. More details

For taxi : วัดโลกโมฬี

Wat Phra Sing

(Samlan Road)

This lovely temple, built in 1345, houses the North's most revered Buddha statue, Phra Phuttha Sihing. Every year on April 13, Songkran Day, the image is paraded on Chiang Mai streets for local people to sprinkle scented water at.

The temple compound contains a lai-kham chapel which features exquisite woodcarvings and northern style murals.

For taxi : วัดพระสิงห์

Wat U-Mong

(Suthep Road)

Built in 1296 by King Mengrai, it is situated in a rustic forest setting. This famous meditation temple is unique in its large tunnel-like construction.

For taxi : วัดอุโมงค์

Wat Ku Tao

This old temple is noteworthy for its unique Burmese-style chedi (pagoda) that consists of a series of circular layers piling one above the other and decorated with coloured porcelain pieces. As this round layered pagoda resembles a water gourd, the temple is called Wat Ku Tao, which means "Temple with the Water Gourd Chedi".

For taxi : วัดกู่เต้า

Wat Suan Dok

This temple was built by command of King Kuena of Lanna Thai Kingdom in 1371.The 500-year-old bronze Buddha image, enshrined in the temple, is one of the most beautiful and largest metal images of the Buddha in Thailand. The temple ground is also a favourite spot for photographers, especially for scenes of the striking sunset.

For taxi : วัดสวนดอก

Wat Chedi Luang

This 14th century temple, where the City Pillar Shrine is located, is famous for its enormous chedi (pagoda) measuring 282 feet high and 144 feet wide at the base. Its spire collapsed in 1545 because of an earthquake. A pair of magnificent Naga staircases at the front porch of the chapel is among the most beautiful in the North.

For taxi : วัดเจดีย์หลวง

Wiang Kum Kam

(5 km. southeast of the city on Chiang Mai - Lamphun Route)

The ancient town of Wiang Kum Kam, founded by King Mengrai in the late 13th century, flourished more than seven centuries ago. Then it was devastated by flood and vanished without a trace.

The entire community was buried under layers of earth and remained interred for several hundred years until the site was excavated. The main historical remains are found in several temples located in the compound, e.g. Wat Chedi Liam, Wat Chang Kham and Wat Noi.

For taxi : เวียงกุมกาม

Night Bazaar

(Chang Khlan Road / see Map of Chiang Mai City)

This popular place is an extensive night market spreading out along Chang Khlan Road. It consists of a great number of shops and street vendors, many of whom are hilltribes. The market offers a large variety of Thai and northern Thai goods, especially handicrafts and souvenirs, at attractive prices. This is a must for shopping-oriented visitors and bargain lovers.

For taxi : ไนท์บาซาร์

Warorot Market

Warorot market, locally called Kad Luang, is Chiang Mai's first shopping centre in Chinatown and a place to see real Chiang Mai. The most famous souvenir here is northern style food. Kaeb mu (crispy pig skin), mu yo (traditional Thai pork sausage), and nam phrik num (traditional northern style green chilly paste). Beyond the market on Praisani Road are dozens of stalls where hilltribe people sell various kinds of tribal handicrafts and tropical fresh fruits and flowers from the highland farms.

For taxi : ตลาดวโรรส

Wualai Walking Street (Saturday Market)

The Wualai community has been so far known for its fine silver and lacquer wares. On Saturday evenings, the Wualai Street is closed to traffic making it an open-air showcase for the area's famous handicrafts. It is therefore called Saturday Market. Don't miss a chance to shop for authentic northern silver and lacquer wares as well as other unique handicrafts at the venue. You are recommended to go there from around 4 p.m. on, when the weather is cooling down and most vendors have already set up shops. The market runs to 10 p.m.

For taxi : ถนนวัวลาย

Tha Pae Walking Street (Sunday Market)

Tha Pae Walking Street runs on Sundays at Tha Phae Gate and along Ratchadamnoen Road. It hence, in the same way as Wualai Walking Street is called Saturday Market, is known as Sunday Market. The Sunday Market features shopping at reasonable prices for various kinds of goods, ranging from local handicraft products to portrait paintings. Besides, local food and music are also key attractions to both locals and tourists. Expect to find activities of all kinds alongside special theme events for young and old alike. This pedestrian market starts around 4 p.m. and runs to 10 p.m.

For taxi : ถนนคนเดิน ท่าแพ

Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Centre

(Phra Pokklao Road, Muang County)

For those whose time is limited but who still want to discover the true identity of Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre is recommended. Established in 1997, the Centre is well located in a beautiful historical building constructed in 1924. The front part of the building is used for permanent exhibits and the rear is dedicated to other cultural activities and temporary exhibitions. Permanent Exhibits comprise 15 sections, which are divided by periods and topics.

Information : Tel. 0 5321 7793, 0 5321 9833

Open : Tuesday-Sunday (including public holidays) 08.30-17.00 hrs.

Admission Fees : Adult: 90 Baht / Child: 40 Baht

For taxi : หอศิลปวัฒนธรรมเมืองเชียงใหม่ ถนนพระปกเกล้า อำเภอเมือง

Ratchaphruek Garden

Ratchaphruek Garden, the former site of the Royal Flora Expo 2006, Thailand’s largest international horticultural exposition, has been developed and opened to the public. It has become a great learning site for agro-tourism. Inside over 470 rai (188 acres) of land amid a mountainous terrain, the garden features various species of plants and flowers as well as many exquisite architectural styles. Examples of what to see in the garden are as follow:

Ho Kham Royal Pavilion The symbolic structure and great photogenic site of this garden, featuring delicate traditional Northern style architecture, Ho Kham Royal Pavilion houses exhibitions in honour of King Bhumibol, wall paintings depicting His Majesty’s exceptional abilities in the country’s development and a sculpture of the tree of the ten kingly virtues.

Corporate Garden Showing sustainability and eco-friendly agricultural techniques, the corporate gardens presented by many organizations and state enterprises are aimed at inspiring visitors to follow the king’s theories.

International Garden Including not only innovative horticultural shows from 33 countries around the globe, the international gardens also offer showcases of each particular country’s identity through its art and architectural style.

Indoor Exhibition This zone demonstrates hydroponics, a tissue culture nursery and features buildings that grow tropical, desert and temperate plants.

Outdoor Exhibition The outdoor exhibition is an area comprising a large outdoor garden featuring various kinds of tropical plants, water plants, Buddhist auspicious plants and beautifully trained trees as well as a building exhibiting the history of Thai horticulture.

Rare Plants Apart from the above mentioned plants, Ratchaphruek Garden collects some rare species like the “Royal Palm”, the “Double Coconut” and ancient pine trees.

Tram services are available at 20 baht for adults and 10 baht for children. The garden is open every day from 9.00-18.00 hrs except Monday. For now the admission is free. For more information, please contact the Ratchaphruek Garden on tel. 0 5311 4110-5.

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